Toronto Maple Leafs: 2017 NHL Mock Draft – Picks 16-31
16. Calgary Flames – Kristian Vesalainen (LW, Frolunda HC, SHL)
Based on size, skill, and nationality, Vesalainen is about the closest you’re going to get to a Laine or Puljujarvi type of player.
He’s not as good as those players, but the Helsinki native still possesses the skill set of a first round prospect. He’s currently projected to go mid-first round and if the Flames decide to take him, he would look very good in a top six left wing spot with Matthew Tkachuk.
17. Toronto Maple Leafs – Nic Hague (D, Mississauga Steelheads, OHL)
Personally, I feel like the writing is on the wall when it comes down to Hague and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
A native of Kitchener, Ontario, Hague grew up a Leafs fan and he fits the bill of what the Leafs need. He has tremendous size at 6’6 and 214 lbs. He’s strong in the offensive zone, with 46 points through 65 games, and he’s sound defensively.
There are many different defensemen the Leafs could snag up this year, but don’t be surprised to hear the Leafs call Hague’s name on draft day.
18. Boston Bruins – Nick Suzuki (C, Owen Sound Attack, OHL)
Every year, there’s at least one prospect who absolutely lights up the league he’s playing in, but his stock drops because of his size. This year, that prospect could be Suzuki.
Suzuki exploded offensively this season, putting up 96 points through 65 games for the Attack in his second full OHL campaign. If he’s developed correctly, he could easily turn out to be a solid top six centre for the Bruins down the road.
19. San Jose Sharks – Ryan Poehling (C, St. Cloud State, NCAA)
When you look at Poehling’s stats, they don’t jump out at you like others do. He put up 13 points through 35 games this season, but keep in mind that he was playing in the NCAA at the age of 17 this year.
Other American forwards typically play in the USHL or for their high schools in their draft year, so Poehling’s numbers could easily skyrocket for next year.
20. St. Louis Blues – Juuso Valimaki (D, Tri-City Americans, WHL)
If Valimaki is still around by the time the Blues are on the board, they should be all over him. He’s an incredible two way defenseman who’s known for his skating abilities.
He’s smooth in both ends and could develop into a solid top four guy for the Blues if he’s developed properly.
21. New York Rangers – Callan Foote (D, Kelowna Rockets, WHL)
Another defenseman who should be taken immediately if he slips this low, Foote has it all. Size, skill, offensive ability and defensive capability.
The Rangers don’t have a lot in the cupboards when it comes to prospects, so Foote will easily be a top three rookie for this franchise if they take him.
22. Edmonton Oilers – Erik Brannstrom (D, HV71, SHL)
Brannstrom will likely fly under the radar in this draft because of his size, but he’s a very, very good defensive prospect.
He put up six points in 35 games for HV71 as a 17 year-old against men this season and he could become a reliable top four offensive defenseman for the Oilers down the line.
23. Arizona Coyotes – Robert Thomas (C, London Knights, OHL)
The Coyotes took a defenseman with their first pick in this round, so now they’ll go with a skilled forward in Thomas.
He was a point per game player for the Knights this season and the Aurora native stepped up in the playoffs, putting up 12 points through 14 games.
24. Columbus Blue Jackets – Josh Norris (C, USNTDP, USHL)
Norris was a point-per-game player everywhere he played this season. He put up 26 points in 25 games for the USNTDP juniors, 61 points in 61 games for the U18 team this year, and 7 points through 7 games at the U18 World Juniors.
The Jackets will be getting a great offensive centre in Norris should they take him.
25. Montreal Canadiens – Isaac Ratcliffe (LW, Guelph Storm, OHL)
From the moment Ratcliffe stepped into the OHL as a 16 year-old last season, he never shied away from physicality.
He’s a bruising power forward who knows how to get to the net and he’ll always stand up for his teammates, and if the Habs take him they’ll be getting a solid LW prospect.
26. Chicago Blackhawks – Kailer Yamamoto (LW, Spokane Chiefs, WHL)
Along with Suzuki, Yamamoto is another highly touted offensive prospect that will likely slip due to his size.
He’s only 5’8, but he put up 99 points through 65 games for the Chiefs this season and he’s a great player and plays bigger than his size. This will be a good pickup for the Hawks if they pick him at 26.
27. St. Louis Blues – Kole Lind (LW, Kelowna Rockets, WHL)
The Blues took Valimaki with their first pick, so with their second they take a skilled forward in Lind. He put up 87 points through 70 games this season for the Blues.
If developed correctly, the Shaunavon native could turn out to be a solid second line winger for the Blues.
28. Ottawa Senators — Jason Robertson (LW, Kingston Frontenacs, OHL)
Robertson is a very skilled forward who has not only skill but has size as well. Standing at 6’2 and 194 lbs, he put up 81 points in 68 games for the Fronts this season.
Keep in mind that he’s doing all of this at the age of 17. The Sens could have a potential steal if they take Robertson here.
29. Dallas Stars – Conor Timmins (D, Sault St. Marie Greyhounds, OHL)
Timmins is solid both offensively and defensively and could make for a great pick for the Stars. After taking an offensive juggernaut in Vilardi at third overall, this could pay off.
They already have solid defensive prospects in Esa Lindell and Julius Honka among others, so Timmins would join an already talented core.
30. Nashville Predators – Nikita A. Popugayev (LW, Prince George Cougars, WHL)
Not to be confused with Nikita O., Nikita A. Popugayev is a solid power forward and he combined for a total of 69 points in 71 points this year.
This pick is obviously interchangeable with the Penguins’ pick at 31st considering the playoffs aren’t over, so it’s not finalized that the Preds have the 30th pick.
31. Pittsburgh Penguins – Maxime Comtois (LW, Victoriaville Tigres, QMJHL)
Comtois was initially ranked as a potential top three pick for the 2017 draft, but a setback in his offensive production knocked him back in the rankings.
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He still had a decent season with 51 points in 64 games for the Tigres, so he could be a high-risk high-reward pick for the Pens.
All statistics and scouting information obtained from eliteprospects.com